The Ilocos Times

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Owing to the intensified drive against prohibited drugs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Ilocos Norte reported that drug supply in the province has significantly dropped. PDEA agent Lanibelle Ancheta made the announcement as she provided anti-drug activities and updates on the drug clearing operations here. In 2016, Ms. Ancheta reported they seized a total of 51,4823 grams of shabu.   She added that the total seized volume of 10.0075 grams in 2017 is significantly lower, which, she said, means the supply has dropped by more than 100 hundred percent. From January up to present, the PDEA Ilocos Norte reported seizing at least 5.7036 grams. According to Ms. Ancheta, one of PDEA’s greatest achievement include the January 26, 2018 arrest of Marvin Crisostomo, a former Piddig councilor and a staff member of Piddig vice mayor Generoso Aquino. To date, the PDEA has d

By Bernard Ver Contributor SARRAT, Ilocos Norte—This town’s rural health unit (RHU) of Sarrat and the provincial health office (PHO) conduct voluntary Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing in the town’s Tourism Hall on March 12, 2018. In observance of the International Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ( Aids ) awareness, the Department of Health together with the Ilocos Norte PHO conducted free HIV testing that included rural health units and social hygiene clinics in region 1. Trained healthcare professionals as well as counselors were stationed at the different HIV testing centers to ensure that testing process is done correctly. The public is encouraged to take part of the HIV testing but youth aged 18 and below should have consent from their parents or guardians before undertaking the procedure. Under Republic Act 8504, or the Philippines Comprehensive Prevention and Control Act of HIV-Aids, HIV testing should be don

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Ilocos Norte Sangguniang Panlalawigan urged the cooperation of all stakeholders to help prevent mineral theft in the province. SP member Vicentito “Toto” M. Lazo reiterated that all quarry sites should include the names of contractors to monitor the volume of aggregates used in various infrastructure projects in the province. As this developed, the SP has requested the Department of Public Works and Highways in the first and second engineering districts of Ilocos Norte to submit a complete list of infrastructure projects and to furnish them data on the specific volume of aggregates needed in these projects. By doing so, Mr. Lazo said it would be easier for them to monitor the implementation of the quarry ordinance passed in 2017. As dredging of rivers is also a form of quarrying based on the quarry ordinance, the provincial board also made DPWH to explain where they put the sand.